Recife Airport (Guararapes) serves the capital of the state of Pernambuco, known as the 'Brazilian Venice' for its canals, approximately 12 km from the city center.
It is the main hub of northeastern Brazil and a convenient departure point for Porto de Galinhas and the Fernando de Noronha archipelago.
How to get to Guararapes - Gilberto Freyre International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to REC
Parking near Guararapes - Gilberto Freyre International Airport
The airport manages an official parking area right in front of the terminal.
Rate at the counter approximately 24 BRL/day; booking online in advance you go down to 19.90 BRL/day (promotional package of 10 days at 79.90 BRL).
How to get to Recife from REC
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Guararapes - Gilberto Freyre International Airport
The major car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, useful for reaching Porto de Galinhas (roughly 1 hour) and other beaches along the coast.
Required are driver's license, passport, and credit card, plus an International Driving Permit in most cases.
Hotels near Guararapes - Gilberto Freyre International Airport
Airport
5 minutes from the terminal; the rest of Boa Viagem is 10-15 minutes away.
Best for: those with a dawn flight or a quick stopover who want check-in just minutes away
- Minutes from check-in, convenient for quick stopovers
- Close to the metro, useful for getting around the city
- Far from Boa Viagem's beach and restaurants
- A neighborhood with little going on in the evening
Recommended hotels
South Boa Viagem
5-10 minutes from the airport; the beach is just steps away.
Best for: those looking for good value while staying just minutes from the airport
- Minutes from the airport and from Shopping Recife
- More affordable prices than central Boa Viagem
- A few hundred meters from the sea, not right on the beach
- Fewer restaurants within reach than central Boa Viagem
Recommended hotels
Central Boa Viagem
About 10-15 minutes from the airport by taxi.
Best for: those who want the beach right outside the door and more restaurants nearby
- Beachfront, with sea views from most rooms
- More restaurants and nightlife nearby
- Further from the airport than other parts of Boa Viagem
- Higher prices for rooms with a sea view
Recommended hotels
- Hotel Atlante Plaza On the Boa Viagem seafront, now part of the Accor network as Grand Mercure, with a pool and two in-house restaurants. View availability
- Transamerica Prestige Recife - Boa Viagem On the seafront in Boa Viagem, with sea-view rooms and round-the-clock room service praised by guests. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
From check-in to gate, in this modern terminal, takes 10-15 minutes.
During peak traffic, controls can take more time: better to allow 3 hours for international flights.
Map of Guararapes - Gilberto Freyre International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can you swim at Boa Viagem?
No, the sea in front of Boa Viagem is unsafe for swimming due to sharks: for swimming it's better to continue to Porto de Galinhas or other beaches along the coast, about an hour away.
Q. How do you get to Fernando de Noronha from Recife?
With a domestic flight, often limited due to environmental restrictions on the island: always check schedules and book in advance, especially in high season.
Q. How do you get to the centre of Recife from the airport?
With the Metrô do Recife, which has a station directly connected to the airport: often cheaper and faster than a taxi during rush hour.
Q. What to buy at Recife duty free?
Lace handicrafts (renda), a typical Pernambuco tradition, as well as local cachaça.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights